JADE Wright led the way as local athletes impressed at the South of England Cross Country Championships on Saturday. In the Senior Women's race at Bicton College, Exmouth, Jade finished second, in a time of 29:42, ahead of former Stags pupil and Shaftesbu

JADE Wright led the way as local athletes impressed at the South of England Cross Country Championships on Saturday. In the Senior Women's race at Bicton College, Exmouth, Jade finished second, in a time of 29:42, ahead of former Stags pupil and Shaftesbury Barnet teammate Rachel Felton, who came fifth in a time of 30:30. Victoria Webster was the third local athlete home as she claimed seventh place with a time of 30:46. With three members in the top seven, Shaftesbury Barnet were unfortunate not to win the team prize, finishing second only one point behind the winners. Jade Wright is now targeting the World Cross Country Trials at Parliament Hill on February 25. Athletics coach George Harrison was particularly impressed with Victoria Webster who recovered from a difficult week to run superbly. He said: "Victoria had a bad week training and I was going to pull her out but she ran really well, so it shows you that if you don't try you never know. She was right up there with Jade early on." Victoria, from St Albans, competes this weekend for Great Britain in an Under 23's Cross Country international in Germany. In the senior men's event, St Albans Strider Mike Jubb was the first local athlete home, finishing 39th.